I just got off the phone with a chap who’s been trying very hard to get in touch with a mobile handset manufacturer. He reckoned his offering could potentially transform a particular handset range. I had a listen to what he was proposing and agreed with the general concept.
But there was a problem. It was an issue that I spotted 20 seconds into his initial pitch. I raised it. We argued (in a constructive manner, it’s always slightly strange debating with someone who you don’t really know that well). We ended up discussing/arguing for about 10 minutes before I said, “Ok, let’s agree that you’re wrong and I’m right.”
Silence for a few moments.
“But how do you know, Ewan?” the chap asked.
“Because I spoke to [handset manufacturer] last week, and that’s exactly what they’re looking for.”
“Oh,” came the reply, before the chap continued, “But I spoke to the UK team and they said…”
“Right, well the UK team don’t make any decisions whatsoever in this context,” I explained, “You want to talk to the chap in [location name].”
I explained that I knew the chap and that they should connect. But before they do that, he should seriously work on his proposition, get the metrics correct, prove the concept with a few demos and so on.
The chap went on to explain that he’s been reading Mobile Industry Review since before we changed the name (from SMS Text News). I was shocked because he had no idea that I consult. No idea that he could hire me. No idea that I help out a lot of mobile and related agencies already. No idea that he could hire me for a day, a week, a month.
I realised then that, for all my apparent skills, I have been rubbish at letting people know that I’m available.
“You need to re-write your About Us section,” the chap advised.
He’s absolutely correct. It’s quite a bit out of date. So I’ll add that to tonight’s to-do list.
Here’s how I’ve been working with other companies in the mobile industry:
– Helping a London-based startup gain traction and key introductions in Silicon Valley
– Helping a series of startups get investment and think big. A huge problem for many startups, particularly British ones… they just don’t ever think big — and they get punished for it mercilessly, 9 times out of 10.
– Helping a mobile developer connect to a handset manufacturer and get accepted on to their developer programme
– Helping a series of FTSE and Fortune brands understand the impact and potential of mobile applications.
– Advising a media conglomerate on how best to maximise their potential in the mobile marketplace.
– Creating a series of videos demonstrating the power of mobile applications to help educate a dotcom’s newly formed mobile department
– Helping a public relations firm get their messaging framework together prior to pitching a behemoth of a client (a pitch they subsequently won)
– Used my network to help staff a mobile project at short notice for an entertainment brand
– Helping a board of directors at one media company understand the difference between Apple and Android
– Smoothing the way for an America conglomerate aiming to enter the European marketplace — including helping them understand the local mindsets
– Preventing a Fortune 100 from making a series of huge errors (they were going to launch their product in the UK using RAZR phones…)
– Helping VCs and banks quantify the possibilities of technology by providing a series of anecdotal (editorial and video) demonstrating proof-of-concept
I’m staggered that I haven’t actually published anything on these type of activities for a long time. So I’m righting that wrong today!
If you’re looking for help, drop me a note — as always I’m ewan@mobileindustryreview.com.